A TEENAGE murder victim had been burgling Southampton flats the night he died, a court has been told.

James Laurie and two friends were spotted on CCTV breaking into a flat in Duncan Court in the Thornhill area of the city.

They made off with a widescreen TV, two Xbox consoles, games, jewellery and watches at around 4am on January 19.

Daily Echo:

James, 17, died later that day from a single stab wound to the chest and was found with a stolen ring in his jacket pocket.

A 15-year-old boy from Andover denies murdering him.

He claims he was acting in self-defence and that the trio had stolen his friend’s car keys which he was trying to retrieve.

The agreed-upon facts of the case were read out at Winchester Crown Court on Friday.

A jury heard how James’ friends were interviewed by police facing an allegation to commit robbery.

Daily Echo:

They both claimed it was he who “lunged” into the car and stole the keys from the ignition.

During proceedings, some of James’ past convictions were read out.

It was said how in March 2014 he was convicted of battery and taking a vehicle without consent.

Daily Echo:

When stealing a bike, James and another boy approached a female and “sprayed her in the face with hair spray”. He also headbutted another male.

Then in July 2015 James spat at a police officer and threatened to “stab him in the face”.

The court heard how in October last year he is said to have pulled a large kitchen knife from his trousers and threatened a female at a party. Another male then punched her.

Daily Echo:

He was also previously arrested after trying to steal car keys from a motorist.

Extracts from a social services record read out in court said how James “frequently carried weapons while in Southampton”.

The trial continues.